THE foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 came within 10 miles of Geoff Royle's land.

The farmer from Dunham Massey, in Cheshire, admits it was a horrific time.

"It was very bad," he said.

"We were lucky because it didn't come onto our farm but it was very close and we still felt its effects."

Mr Royle breeds female calves to sell to other farmers but during the outbreak movement of cattle was banned.

"I was overrun with cattle that I couldn't sell. I had nowhere to feed them and nowhere to house them.

"Obviously it affected my finances but thankfully when restrictions were lifted farmers were keen to buy again.

Restrictions

"We hardly sold a thing for 15 months but once the restrictions were lifted they went quickly."

But he does not think foot and mouth was the cause of farming's current difficulties. "The industry has been in decline for years and foot and mouth was just one of those things that happened," he said.

His livestock is still subject to movement restrictions but Mr Royle was keen to display his cattle at the Cheshire Show.

He said: "We've been doing this for years and it is important because it's a little bit of fun for farmers. It's also a good opportunity for the public to see what we are about and where their food comes from. The show is like a shop window for farming."

National Farmers' Union committee member Phil Smallwood believes the Cheshire Show is symbolic of farming's revival.

"It's a showcase for all farmers in the area and it's great that the public can come and be involved," he said.